We're Parents!!!!!
1 year, 10 months, and streams of paperwork later ... (and in my case, 43 years) ...
Fran and Mikel are the proud owners of a 2 year old girl and a 1 year old boy.
PARENTS.
The Russian judge officially approved our adoption today at 1 p.m., meaning we can head out to pick up the children Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, we will head to Cherepanov and pick up Yana and spend the evening with her. Call it a subtle adjustment period to the feeling of parenthood, one set of little feet at a time. On Thursday, we will then go to get Ruslan, who based on this week, may be a bit of a handful. So perhaps Yana can talk some sense into her little brother and get him to stop crying so much.
PARENTS.
It's not real yet, because the children are not here yet. But it was such a big relief when the judge approved the adoption. Just the sense that the journey was nearly complete and that this whole long process was nearing an end.
It would be a time to celebrate, if I wasn't feeling so under the weather, but at the very least, I think the eliminating the stress associated with worrying about the court hearing should help.
PARENTS.
In this little room, which really was just the judge's office, there was Fran and I, the translator, head doctors from both the baby homes, social workers from both the baby's hometowns, a court reporter, and a prosecuting attorney, After some initial proceedings, I stood up and gave my impromptu speech on our background, and how we would provide a loving home in a great community to these two children. I had practiced three phrases in Russian to try and impress the judge, but I couldn't even get out a simple "Hello and Good Afternoon" in Russian I was so nervous. So I abandoned the show of good international citizenship and stuck with the language I thought I was better at.
The judge preferred I do all the speaking -- at one point I wanted Fran to answer a question that seemed directed at her, but the judge said 'Nyet, nyet' and motioned her down. Fran did get one moment to add a little more, and spoke about our visits and interaction with the children.
The judge had a few questions for us, which included how we would communicate with children who only knew Russian, and how our home was set up for the babies, and how we would manage financially with Fran quitting her job to stay at home with the children ... but we stumbled through our answers enough to receive approval.
I had to laugh when the baby home officials from Ruslan's orphanage told the judge about how he was really receptive to us ... if you don't count the explosion of tears and cries for the first 10 minutes of every visit, yes, I guess he was receptive.
At the end of the proceedings, and everyone int he room encouraged the judge to "give a positive response" to our petition to adopt, she asked us all to leave the room. Normally a judge may leave chambers and come back with a decision, but this was her office, so we were asked to get out. After 3 minutes she called us back into her office and pronounced that the adoption was approved. It may have been a quick decision because all our paperwork was in order and we would make great parents, or it could be because lunch was a 1 p.m. and Russian government officials don't go late for lunch.
No matter. There we stood, in this cramped little office of a Russian judge, beneath the glaring eyes of a photo of Putin and the Russian flag, we were pronounced proud parents of two children.
Wow.
Fran and Mikel are the proud owners of a 2 year old girl and a 1 year old boy.
PARENTS.
The Russian judge officially approved our adoption today at 1 p.m., meaning we can head out to pick up the children Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, we will head to Cherepanov and pick up Yana and spend the evening with her. Call it a subtle adjustment period to the feeling of parenthood, one set of little feet at a time. On Thursday, we will then go to get Ruslan, who based on this week, may be a bit of a handful. So perhaps Yana can talk some sense into her little brother and get him to stop crying so much.
PARENTS.
It's not real yet, because the children are not here yet. But it was such a big relief when the judge approved the adoption. Just the sense that the journey was nearly complete and that this whole long process was nearing an end.
It would be a time to celebrate, if I wasn't feeling so under the weather, but at the very least, I think the eliminating the stress associated with worrying about the court hearing should help.
PARENTS.
In this little room, which really was just the judge's office, there was Fran and I, the translator, head doctors from both the baby homes, social workers from both the baby's hometowns, a court reporter, and a prosecuting attorney, After some initial proceedings, I stood up and gave my impromptu speech on our background, and how we would provide a loving home in a great community to these two children. I had practiced three phrases in Russian to try and impress the judge, but I couldn't even get out a simple "Hello and Good Afternoon" in Russian I was so nervous. So I abandoned the show of good international citizenship and stuck with the language I thought I was better at.
The judge preferred I do all the speaking -- at one point I wanted Fran to answer a question that seemed directed at her, but the judge said 'Nyet, nyet' and motioned her down. Fran did get one moment to add a little more, and spoke about our visits and interaction with the children.
The judge had a few questions for us, which included how we would communicate with children who only knew Russian, and how our home was set up for the babies, and how we would manage financially with Fran quitting her job to stay at home with the children ... but we stumbled through our answers enough to receive approval.
I had to laugh when the baby home officials from Ruslan's orphanage told the judge about how he was really receptive to us ... if you don't count the explosion of tears and cries for the first 10 minutes of every visit, yes, I guess he was receptive.
At the end of the proceedings, and everyone int he room encouraged the judge to "give a positive response" to our petition to adopt, she asked us all to leave the room. Normally a judge may leave chambers and come back with a decision, but this was her office, so we were asked to get out. After 3 minutes she called us back into her office and pronounced that the adoption was approved. It may have been a quick decision because all our paperwork was in order and we would make great parents, or it could be because lunch was a 1 p.m. and Russian government officials don't go late for lunch.
No matter. There we stood, in this cramped little office of a Russian judge, beneath the glaring eyes of a photo of Putin and the Russian flag, we were pronounced proud parents of two children.
Wow.
posted by The LeForts | 1:13 AM
5 Comments:
Congrats to you both!! I have been reading along the way about your journey that seems exhausting just to read. The excitement you both have shows thru and I have loved the humorous take on what must be a terribly frustrating process. I am sure that once in your home the two children will be happy and loved and that is what matters! I am astonished at how much Yana looks like Jenna at that age! Good luck on your trip home!
YEAH !!! Congratulations !! How exciting... The ride has just begun !!
Be safe on the way home...
Love ya..
Auntie Moe
Wow, two more grandchildren! They seem to be coming in sets of two these days. I'm so excited for you. Can't wait to see all of you, hopefully at Christmas. Hope you have a safe trip home.
Love,
Mom (Mimi)
Dear Fran and Mikel:
Congratulations on being new parents to two beautiful children. Everyone has enjoyed this journey with you and cannot wait to meet these babies.
Love Aunt Connie
Mikel and Fran, you have to beautiful children. I am so happy for the two of you. Be safe and I look forward to someday seeing these two little "gifts" in person.
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